on this saturday night, homegrown terror? late word tonight of an american teenager arrested for planning a car bomb attack. what the feds say he promised would be a violent jihad in one of america's biggest cities. behind the mystery. what we have uncovered tonight about the anti-muslim film that set off days of rage as one of the men involved with the movie is taken in for questioning. battle lines. in a big fight over who gets to vote and how, fears of chaos and confusion on election day. why a lot of americans could be turned away at the polls. tabloid wars. despite threats not to do it, more magazines published the private pictures of kate middleton. for the british royal family tonight the scandal hits closer to home. and making a difference. a second chance for folks in need paired up with some new best friends who need them right back.

captions paid for by nbc-universal television good evening. on what has already been a week of high anxiety for the country with the 9/11 anniversary and anti-american violence overseas there is late word tonight that the fbi has exposed an apparent homegrown terror plot in chicago involving an american teenager. the feds arresting an 18-year-old man who they say tried to detonate a car bomb outside a chicago bar. what he apparently didn't know was that the fbi was in on it from the start and the bomb was a fake. nbc's john yang is in our chicago newsroom with more. was anyone put at risk here? >> reporter: law enforcement officials stressed to nbc news that no one was ever at risk. the bomb was a phony. the suspect, 18-year-old adel daoud had no weapons training,

no explosives training and is not a member or connected with any terrorist group, international terrorist group. according to this 35-page criminal complaint he was spotted by the fbi online talking jihad and talking about attacking americans. an undercover fbi agent got in touch with him. in the course of their discussions he came up with this plot to attack a target in chicago. and last night, according to the fbi, he was given a phony bomb, drove it in a jeep cherokee to a bar in downtown chicago, parked it outside, walked away and tried to detonate it. once he did, he was arrested by the fbi. he's now in custody. he had a brief appearance before a magistrate today. he'll be back in federal court on monday. law enforcement officials tell nbc news he's a misguided, angry 18-year-old. lester? >> john yang in our chicago bureau. john, thanks.

tonight, things are much quieter though the middle east remains a tinder box after several days of anti-american demonstrations, at times turning violent. at this hour the state department and the military are taking efforts to step up security at u.s. embassies across the region. jim maceda joins us from cairo. jim, good evening. >> reporter: hello, lester. the state department is temporarily closing embassies in sudan and yemen, warning u.s. citizens of the travel in those countries, as well as in tunisia where americans are encouraged to leave as worries about more violent protests escalate. a four-day standoff outside the u.s. embassy in cairo ended this morning when riot police charged the protesters and cleared out tahrir square, arresting some 200 along the way. the city began to return to normal as did the country with no reported protests or violence.

friday's day of rage spread across more than 20 countries. in tunisia today local citizens and security personnel surveyed damaged cars and buildings at the u.s. embassy now protected by armored vehicles while a u.s. marine rapid response team took up positions at yemen's charred u.s. embassy and western hotels. it wasn't all quiet. as far away as sydney, australia, hundreds protesters clashed with riot police outside the u.s. consulate saying america had defiled their religion. >> we are defending our prophet muhammed's honor. >> reporter: with the whole middle east in crisis pope benedict xvi offered a message of peace in beirut today on a rare visit to lebanon where he said people of different faiths now live together. but in the arab world, anger runs deeper than religion and america is a lightning rod. >> everyone has something against it. so whenever something relates to

america happens, everyone is just all fired up. >> reporter: even after the arab spring which the u.s. embraced, america is disliked and mistrusted and not just by muslim militants. >> i think a lot of ordinary people also look at the u.s. and say, why do you support our dictators? >> reporter: some egyptians said they were beginning to change their minds about america until the anti-islam film clip appeared on the internet. now as american embassies and symbols become prime targets around the world the state department is taking no chances. lester? >> jim maceda in cairo, thank you. now to libya where we are learning new details about the attack that killed four americans including the u.s. ambassador there. nbc's ayman mohyeldin is in benghazi tonight where he has an exclusive with the president of libya tonight about what

happened. good evening. >> reporter: the details of the attack that killed the american ambassador and three others may not be clear. according to libya's president there is no doubt in his mind who is responsible for the attack. the charred remains of the u.s. consulate in benghazi. libya's president said today the attack was not the aftermath of a spontaneous outburst of street protests over an anti-islam movie. >> i have no doubts about this. it is a preplanned attack. very sinister. with criminal intentions. >> reporter: for the first time president mohamed magariaf said it wasn't just libyans involved in the attack. without giving details he said foreigners participated in planning and orchestrating the assault. >> we have assumptions and we have some information. and all the information that we have now leads to the same direction. >> reporter: one possible reason the u.s. was targeted -- revenge. earlier this year a u.s. drone

strike killed one of al qaeda's most senior leaders, a libyan man. since the collapse of the gadhafi regime the libyan government has struggled to maintain security. there are concerns militant groups will exploit the vacuum to launch deadly attacks like the one on the u.s. consulate. today in a statement posted online al qaeda praised the killing of the american ambassador and called for more attacks on u.s. embassies around the world. outside the u.s. consulate in benghazi, libyan police sealed the compound to preserve clues or evidence to help the fbi with the investigation. earlier today, i spoke with one of the libyan security guards at the u.s. consulate who was wounded in the assault. he told me there are about 40 attackers who used rocket propelled grenades and machine guns as they stormed the compound looking for americans inside. the americans who survived the attack have been evacuated to germany where they are being interviewed by the fbi for any

possible clues. here in libya, the government now says it has ten suspects in its custody. lester? >> thanks. we are learning more about those responsible for making the video that triggered so much of the violence we have seen. several cast and crew members say they were duped into working on a film last summer that was turned into a poisonous 14-minute trailer. one of the key figures agreed overnight to answer questions from authorities, not about the content of the film but about his probation status. nbc's mike taibbi has our report. >> reporter: shielding his face from the cameras even at midnight an ex-con and ultra conservative coptic christian named nakoula basseley nakoula was escorted from his home to voluntarily answer questions about his role in the video. >> he is not a danger to anybody or anything. he's right now being interviewed by federal probation officers to see if he is, in fact, in violation of his federal probation. >> reporter: he said he only

provided logistical help but other key figures long sounded themes similar to those expressed in the video. among them, joseph nasrala. >> wake up, america! >> reporter: another egypt born coptic christian who was a featured speaker two years running at the anti-islamic 9/11 protests against the so-called ground zero mosque. >> they conquer our country the same way conquer america. >> reporter: media for christ includes a website and the studio where the video was made. one of the regular show hosts is steven klein. >> infidel i am, kafir i am. mighty proud of it. >> reporter: his leaflets and speeches have painted islam in such ugly terms he's on several hate speech watch lists. with klein as the self-described consultant the video from the studio was a bargain basement bait and switch project titled desert warrior with actors who say their scripted dialogue was later dubbed over and doctored

into an attack video aimed at the muslim world. the filmmakers even put osama bin laden in the title to type a theater screening though there may not have been a screening or even a completed movie. but the video did come out of the studio and while klein stood by his role in it -- >> i will live and die by the truth, period. >> reporter: he was soon seen leaving town because of death threats. and nasrala was gone, his charity shuttered, his facebook page saying he, too, always tells the truth. as for nakoula he told police he would not return home. indeed, he has not. instead he would go to an undisclosed location for his and his family's safety. in afghanistan today an afghan policeman shot and killed two british soldiers bringing the total to 47 international service members killed by the afghan forces serving alongside them. nbc's atia abawi is in kabul tonight.

>> reporter: good evening, lester. nato says the service members killed were victims of another insider attack. a local policeman returning from a security operation turned his gun on them, killing two and wounding three others. also in helmand last night 20 taliban insurgents breached the perimeter of camp bastien, one of the largest nato bases in the country. also home to the u.s. marine base camp leatherneck. using small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades they killed two u.s. marines, injuring several others. they also released this video, claiming to show the aftermath of the attack. the taliban said they attacked the base to avenge the anti-islamic movie that's outraged the muslim world. they chose that base because they heard that's where prince harry was based. today nato says that the prince was in no danger and britain said it doesn't plan to cut short his deployment to afghanistan. today happens to be prince

harry's 28th birthday. lester? >> atia abawi in our kabul bureau tonight. the outburst of violence this week across the middle east has the white house dealing with an international crisis. a difficult balancing act for the president about seven weeks until election day. we get more now from nbc's mike viqueira. >> reporter: after leading yesterday's ceremony for the four americans killed in libya, today president obama vowed once more to bring those responsible to justice. >> those who attack our people will find no escape from justice. >> reporter: the president said the images of the besieged american embassies are just a small part of a larger picture. >> for every angry mob millions yearn for the freedom and hope and dignity that our flag represents. >> reporter: since taking office mr. obama sought to reduce tensions with the muslim world. the white house insists the anti-american violence sweeping the region is not a rejection of the president's policy. >> the unrest we have seen is a reaction to a film with which the united states government had

no involvement. >> reporter: experts say the administration must walk a fine line. >> it is a dangerous political dynamic on the ground that's fuelled by the fact that the arab spring has not quickly found a very clear direction. >> reporter: after initially taking hits for politicizing american deaths in libya, mitt romney softened his tone. >> well, this is politics. i'm not going to worry about the campaign. >> reporter: with romney trailing in polls on the question of foreign policy, running mate paul ryan continues to hammer the president. >> amid all these threats and dangers what we do not see is steady, consistent american leadership. >> reporter: today a close ally added more foreign policy pressure. in an interview to air on "meet the press" benjamin netanyahu the israeli prime minister insists mr. obama get tougher with iran over their nuclear program. >> iran is guided by a leadership with an unbelievable fanaticism.

it is the same fanaticism you see stormg the ing the embassie today. do you want them to have nuclear weapons? >> reporter: with less than two months to the election, the middle east once again a political flashpoint. mike viqueira, nbc news, the white house. there's much more of the interview with benjamin netanyahu on tomorrow morning on "meet the press." still ahead, the intense battle over who gets to vote on election day and how. a decision now hangs in the balance. later, making a difference with good old fashioned puppy love.

we are back now with raging legal battles over who will be eligible to vote this november, and how and when. across the country, courts are deciding bitter partisan disputes including one in pennsylvania where both sides say the outcome could tip the balance in a close election. we get our report tonight from nbc's ron allen. >> reporter: as pennsylvania supreme court considered whether to uphold the new law that requires a picture i.d. to vote, protesters outside claim the law is a republican tactic to make voting harder for minorities, the poor, students, groups that tend to support democrats. anna gonzales, a plaintiff in the case has a social security card, old voter registration card and more, but nothing with a picture like a passport, driver's license or government employee i.d., now required here to vote. >> there is no way. it is an injustice, because we're americans. >> reporter: opponents of the

law seized on these comments listing accomplishments at a gathering. >> voter i.d. which is going to allow governor romney to win the state of pennsylvania, done. >> reporter: while supporters of the law claim it will prevent fraud in court lawyers admitted there haven't been cases of fraud in recent elections. 31 states have some sort of voter i.d. law. with several nation legal challenges. photo i.d. laws in texas and wisconsin were recently struck down. only four states have laws considered as strict at pennsylvania's. the voting battles go beyond showing picture i.d. at the polls. the courts have been deciding disputes over early voting procedures, voter registration drives and of course how ballots will be counted. some democrats call it voter suppression. >> too many people struggled, suffered and died to make it possible for every american to exercise their right to vote. >> reporter: while some conservatives insist the issue is voter protection.

>> to compare the request for a photo i.d. or utility bill to a poll tax is beyond comprehension. >> reporter: in pennsylvania state officials estimate 100,000 to 800,000 voters may not have proper i.d., a public service campaign explains the new rules. with the high courts split, three democrats and three republicans, the law is likely to stand. and the battle likely to continue to election day. ron allen, nbc news, philadelphia. we're back in a moment with a growing scandal for the british royal family now hitting closer to home.

overseas tonight the duke and duchess of cambridge put on a brave face even as more

magazines in more countries announced plans to publish those private pictures of kate middleton prompting harsh reaction from the palace. sara james is traveling with the royals. >> reporter: the remote beauty of borneo. the lush rain forest a great place to get away from it all. especially now. the duke and duchess of cambridge gave no hint that they are at the center of a storm brewing over photos of kate sunbathing topless which appeared in a french magazine. the royal couple were reportedly furious that a photographer armed with a long lens snapped the photos while they were on vacation at a private home in the south of france. lawyers for the future king and queen of england are fighting back in the french courts and filed a lawsuit against the magazine. a palace spokesman called it a grotesque invasion of privacy and linked it to the worst

excesses of the paparazzi with princess diana. despite the lawsuit an italian gossip magazine plans to publish the pictures. an irish newspaper already has and they are also on the internet. determined to keep the focus on their tour, the royal pair are going ahead with the planned schedule. this trip takes the duke and duchess everywhere from major cities like here in kuala lumpur, to borneo, to the south pacific. their next stop, the solomon islands. with the official media in tow, the couple are well aware that these public appearances are beamed around the world. but prince william, who was just 15 when his mother died while being pursued by paparazzi reportedly is determined to shield kate. and wants their private life to remain just that. sara james, nbc news, malaysia.

when we come back, match-making and making a difference for some new best friends.

finally tonight our making a difference report on better days for some of those who have been down on their luck. we are talking about dogs abandoned to a shelter and people who know what it is to be homeless. a new pilot program in san francisco is matching them up for a fresh start. we get the story from nbc's kristen dahlgren. >> is baby getting sleepy?

you're beautiful. >> reporter: they say there is nothing like puppy love. >> he loves to play. >> reporter: in san francisco they are trying to see how powerful it can be. he changed your life. >> he changed my life a lot. >> reporter: roylene nixon was once homeless and alone, not unlike her foster dog dexter. >> he needed love when i was out there before i was rescued. i'm here to give that to him. >> reporter: the two were part of a pilot program called woof pairing people who used to live on the streets with shelter dogs. the idea started with the economic downturn. people were turning in more dogs they couldn't afford anymore. the shelter was full and found they were having to put down 20 more dogs every month. the city's animal shelter offered formerly homeless now living in supporting housing a chance to provide a temporary home for needy dogs. >> i think it's a win-win for everyone. and i think we're going to see a positive outcome from a program like this.

>> reporter: the idea has critics including animal rights advocate peta worried the pets wouldn't be well cared for but housing official bevin dufty disagrees. >> we have been very careful to screen individuals who we think will do well and dogs we think will respond to just a little human touch. >> you can walk the dog as many times as you want throughout the day. >> reporter: during the program the foster owners attend classes to learn how to care for the puppies and themselves. >> i understand as a participant in the program i am prohibited to panhandle for the duration of my involvement in the program. >> reporter: participants get a small weekly stipend and more. >> she really needs me. that really changes your perspective when something needs you. depends on you. >> reporter: while they will soon have to give up their dogs to more permanent homes, most say they will foster again knowing sometimes second chances come in small packages.

kristen dahlgren, nbc news, san francisco. >> that's "nbc nightly news" for this saturday. i'm lester holt. i'll see you tomorrow morning on "today" and then right back here tomorrow evening. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com good evening, i'm kris sanchez. another nhl lockout is looming. this were no formal talks between players and league official, and the deadline is less than three hours away. that now sets the stage for the league to impose a lockout when the collective bargaining agreement expires at